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Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel have developed a fast and fun friendship ever since the two became teammates on last season’s Leafs team.

On Wednesday, that friendship took on a new characteristic – a nickname given by teammates.

“Yeah, they’re inseparable, we’ve started calling them Bert and Ernie,” said Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek, referring to the roommate characters on Sesame Street.

While Bozak and Kessel have been having fun so far in training camp, the serious part of their friendship will be tested Wednesday night when they see their first game action of the new season in a preseason contest with the Ottawa Senators.

The two will be paired with Nik Kulemin, reuniting of last season’s top line. That trio played well together over the final month of the season, and now, with goal scoring a big issue for the Leafs this season, the line is being asked to lead the club offensively.

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“Sure, we’d like to build on what we had last year,” Kessel said. “We (himself and Bozak) hang out a lot and anytime you have fun with someone, it makes it easier on the ice.”

Bozak and Kessel both had rough starts to the 2009 season, and both have spent the off-season in personally-tailored training programs. The results have been noticeable in the early stages of camp.

Bozak experienced health problems early last season, contracting an illness that left him weak and unable to eat properly. He lost more than 10 pounds, and finished the season fighting to regain that weight.

“I got back up to 175 pounds (by the end of the season) and now I’m back around 195, which is where I should be,” said Bozak, who credited Leafs strength coach Anthony Belza with guiding him through his off-season training.

Kessel missed the first 12 games of the season with a shoulder injury, but still came back to score 30 goals and 55 points in 70 games for the Leafs.

Leafs coach Ron Wilson, while not given to making predictions for players, felt his top duo could improve on last year’s numbers.

“Bozak is stronger, he’s more prepared for the battle ... if Phil scores 40, then Tyler should be in on a lot of them,” Wilson said. “So maybe 50, 60 points would be a good season for Tyler. And I’m sure he can build on that too.”

The Leafs are coming off a flat 5-0 loss to Ottawa in the exhibition opener for both teams Tuesday. The Senators will play Brian Elliott in goal for the entire game.

The Leafs are expected to split the game between Ben Scrivens and James Reimer.

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